Good Practice

Good practices can shape and re-shape our lives. Mister Bill and I have recently begun having a daily protein shake, something for most of our lives we've managed to ... avoid. It's surprising how "good taste" can change your mind about something! David begins Psalm 9 with four "I will" statements: "I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart - I will tell of all Your marvelous works - I will be glad and rejoice in You - I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High." (Verses 1-2 NKJV). We don't know the circumstances of David's life when he wrote this psalm but [from the rest of the psalm], we learn he was troubled by enemies. We can relate to this, right? We cannot escape times of fear, sorrow and discouragement. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8 the enemy "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." A good practice of David's was to remember the past and how God had delivered him - it made him confident in the present. "The LORD also will be refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble, And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have nasforsaken those who seek You." (Verses 9-10 NKJV). Yes, David knew the God of past deliverance was the God of his present and future deliverance! Mister Bill likes the taste of his Frosted Mango shake and I love my Strawberry Slush - it's a bonus practice that the shakes are good for us. It's always good that we remember the nature of our Great God and His gracious works - yes, remembering is just ... good practice.

MWB Blog Break

 MWB will Resume 08-20-2026
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly  

Wait Patiently

Instant oatmeal, rotisserie chicken, self-adhesive stamps, drive-through windows, call-ahead seating … all these have something in common. They satisfy a sense of urgency! What is urgent? One online definition read, “too pressing to permit further delay.” We all have those hurry-hurry-rush-rush moments - sometimes several times a day! Take a moment to consider how much time a young David spent on the backside of nowhere with only sheep for company. Of all the typies of livestock, sheep require a lot of care? They possess no natural defense like claws or sharp teeth - only to run; they can become easily lost with no sense of direction to find their way home; they relay completely on a shepherd for their food, water, safety and rest. Perhaps their greatest need is the patience of a the shepherd! Although we read several places in the psalms David’s lack of patience, it was one of the most urgent needs in his life and he recognized it: "I waited patiently for the LORD," he writes in Psalm 40:1. What seems most urgent is not always most important. In my times of patiently waiting on God, I've learned He hears me, delivers me from destruction, sets my feet in a firm place, secures myour my steps, gives my heart a new song (from Verses 2-3). It may seem paradoxical (illogical) but truly the most urgent thing we can do is ... wait patiently.

Give Up to Win

Winning seems to be a big deal! As a former athlete, the win was what the team was after - more goals and more runs were what mattered most.  Jesus turned this idea on its head! He taught "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God" (Matthew 5:3). Those who possessed nothing spiritually - the humble and the meek - achieved great reward! He modeled humility to His closest friends: Jesus "rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." (John 13:4-5 ESV). The world sees such as illogical, uncommon, making no sense but the real truth is it's how to win! "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." (James 4:10 ESV) ... "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 ESV) ... "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6 ESV). I love the Puritan's words: "Let me learn by paradox - that the way down is the way up ... to be low is to be high ... to bear the cross is to wear the crown" ("The Valley of Vision"). How great it was when we did have more goals and runs and took home the trophy. For those who truly love and are devoted to Jesus, there will never be any greater reward than what comes to those of a humbled heart - those who ... give up to win.

In His Strength

In his workshop Mister Bill has many things - many I cannot accurately name. One such handy gizmo is called a "come-along." Although its use matches its name, it is specifically "a hand-operated ratcheting cable or strap puller used to life pull, stretch, or position heavy loads over short distances." Like I said ... a handy gizmo. When life "happens," one of the first things we learn is just how weak and ill-equipped we are to meet present challenges. It can, of course, be a physical challenge but more often it is emotional, mental or spiritual in nature. Paul writes, "I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 ESV). What a great verse of promise and hope but I fear we live as if the verse reads: "I can do all things," neglecting the "through Him Who strengthens me." In this terribly misguiding culture we are told and encouraged to dig-deep into ourselves and find that inner strength to succeed in and through every facet of life. What an exercise in futility - useless and ineffective! "[God] gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29) ... "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." (Ephesians 6:10) ... "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) ... "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11) ... "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26). There is no match, no equal, no substitute for the strength God gives to those who will first humble themselves - admit their own weakness - then find all they need to come-along in His power. Over the years, I've seen Mister Bill's come-along gizmo in action, and it's pretty impressive. Nothing speaks louder to our own hearts or to others who watch us in-and-through life's challenges than when we trust God and live life ... in His strength.